A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday challenging the Punjab government’s recent move to revive the Basant festival through an ordinance, nearly 18 years after the kite-flying event was banned following fatal accidents.
The petition, submitted by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) through Advocate Azhar Siddique, argued that the provincial government issued the ordinance while the Punjab Assembly was still in session, bypassing proper legislative procedures. It highlighted that kite flying has historically led to numerous deaths and injuries, and that the Supreme Court had previously prohibited the activity to protect public safety. The petition warned that lifting the ban could again endanger lives, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees citizens’ right to life and protection of property.
The petition also recalled a tragic incident last year in Faisalabad, where a man died after a kite string cut his throat. During a visit to the bereaved family, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz referred to Basant as a “bloody sport,” highlighting the dangers of the festival. The petitioner urged the court to declare the ordinance an abuse of the governor’s powers under Article 128 and nullify both the law and the notification permitting kite flying.
In response, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari defended the revival, assuring that Basant would be “completely safe, regulated, and strictly monitored.” The government has banned metallic and chemically coated kite strings, with violations punishable by three to five years in prison and fines up to Rs2 million. Children violating the Kite Flying Act would face fines of Rs50,000 for the first offense and Rs100,000 for the second.
Moreover, string manufacturers and sellers must register their products and include QR-coded identification on every roll. Motorcyclist safety measures have also been strengthened, and legal protections for underage riders will be included in upcoming legislation. The government maintains that strict regulations and safety measures will prevent past tragedies during the revived festival.
In recent developments, Punjab Allows Basant Festivities Again After 25 Years with New Rules
